The National Institute of Credit Administration (NICA) has conferred its prestigious Fellowship on the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, alongside other distinguished leaders in Nigeria’s financial and corporate sectors.
The investiture ceremony, held at the MUSON Centre, brought together senior financial executives, policymakers, regulators, and key stakeholders to celebrate excellence in credit administration and professional practice.
Also honoured at the event was the Managing Director/CEO of Union Bank of Nigeria, Yetunde Oni, in recognition of her contributions to institutional governance and advancement within the financial sector.
In addition, Mrs. Olushola Momoh, Vice Chairman of Channels Television, received a Professional Fellowship for her leadership impact and professional achievements. Dr. Awa Ibraheem, Founder of Xpress Payment Solutions Ltd, was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his strategic influence and contributions to Nigeria’s payments ecosystem and financial innovation landscape.
According to the Institute, the Fellowship represents its highest professional distinction. It is reserved for individuals whose leadership has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s credit environment, enhanced institutional governance frameworks, and promoted financial system integrity.
Speaking at the ceremony, representatives of the Institute emphasised the importance of visionary leadership in sustaining economic growth and fostering a responsible credit culture across the financial ecosystem.
A representative described Kayode Lawal as a leader who embodies professional excellence, integrity, and strategic direction, noting that his efforts in strengthening financial discipline and institutional governance make him deserving of the honour.
This latest recognition further reinforces Lawal’s standing within Nigeria’s professional financial leadership community. He was previously conferred with the Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) at an investiture ceremony held in November 2025 at the Banquet Hall of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
At the sidelines of the event, Lawal expressed appreciation to the Institute and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing professional standards in Nigeria’s financial sector.
He noted that the recognition serves as encouragement to continue promoting responsible financial practices, institutional integrity, and sustainable growth across the banking and credit ecosystem.
Polaris Bank described the Fellowship as a proud milestone that reflects the institution’s commitment to professionalism, innovation, and ethical leadership.
The investiture ceremony featured formal proceedings, goodwill messages from industry leaders, and broader recognition of excellence within Nigeria’s credit management and financial services profession.
